AboutCarol Schlitt Expertise I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).
Experience I am an Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety. I am a certified HACCP manager and a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Organizations International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Society for Nutrition Education.
Education/Credentials BS - University of Illinois
MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Question I left a head of raw cabbage in my hot car all day can I get sick fromm eating it if I cooked it
Answer Hi Claudia,
Fortunatley, fresh raw cabbage does not have to be refrigerated after harvest to remain fresh. While refrigeration will extend the shelf life of raw vegetables such as cabbage, it is not necessary to refrigerate for safety.
With that said, keeping cabbage in a hot car will increase the maturation of the product so it is necessary that you cook and use the cabbage quickly. Be sure to remove the outer leaves and was the cabbage well before preparing for cooking. When you cook the cabbage, make sure the temperature of the dish reaches at least 135 degrees F (if it is just cabbage) or 165 degrees F if it also contains meat. Thoroughly cooking the cabbage will also ensure a safe product.
